Introduction: Why SCOTUS Case Comparisons Matter in AP Gov
One of the most unique parts of AP U.S. Government and Politics (AP Gov) is the focus on Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) case comparisons. Unlike most history courses where you memorize dates, AP Gov requires you to analyze the reasoning, constitutional principles, and precedents set by these cases.
The College Board requires students to know 15 specific SCOTUS cases, and you’ll almost certainly see at least one Free-Response Question (FRQ) where you must compare a required case to a non-required case. This skill is essential for earning top points.
This guide explains the 15 required cases, shows you how to compare them effectively, and gives strategies to score high on FRQs — with resources from RevisionDojo to make studying smoother.
The 15 Required SCOTUS Cases for AP Gov
Here are the cases you must know:
- Marbury v. Madison (1803) – Established judicial review.
- McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) – Expanded federal power (Necessary & Proper Clause).
- U.S. v. Lopez (1995) – Limited Congress’s commerce power.
- Baker v. Carr (1962) – “One person, one vote.”
- Shaw v. Reno (1993) – Race cannot be the primary factor in redistricting.
- Engel v. Vitale (1962) – Banned school-sponsored prayer.
- Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) – Protected religious freedom in education.
- Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) – Protected student free speech.
- New York Times v. U.S. (1971) – Protected freedom of press against prior restraint.
- Schenck v. U.S. (1919) – Limited free speech during wartime.
- Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) – Guaranteed right to counsel in state cases.
- Roe v. Wade (1973) – Protected right to privacy (abortion).
- McDonald v. Chicago (2010) – Applied 2nd Amendment to the states.
- Brown v. Board of Education (1954) – Ended racial segregation in schools.
- Citizens United v. FEC (2010) – Protected campaign spending as free speech.
👉 AP Gov Tip: Don’t just memorize outcomes. Focus on constitutional principles (First Amendment, 14th Amendment, Commerce Clause, etc.) and how cases connect.
What Case Comparisons Look Like on the AP Exam
Example FRQ Prompt:
“In your response, use one of the required Supreme Court cases to compare with the following case: Obergefell v. Hodges (2015). Explain how both cases illustrate the Court’s role in protecting civil rights.”
How to answer:
- Pick Brown v. Board of Education (1954).
- Compare reasoning: Both expanded equal protection under the 14th Amendment.
- Show understanding: Brown desegregated schools; Obergefell legalized same-sex marriage.
How to Structure SCOTUS Case Comparisons
- Identify the Constitutional Principle
- Example: 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.
- Summarize Each Case Briefly
- 1–2 sentences max. Don’t retell the whole story.
- Make the Comparison
- Explicitly connect how each case applied the principle.
- Explain the Impact
- What changed because of the ruling?
Sample Case Comparison
Case Prompt: Compare Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) with Morse v. Frederick (2007).
Answer Outline:
- Tinker: Protected student free speech (armbands protesting Vietnam War).
- Morse: Limited student free speech (“Bong Hits 4 Jesus” banner).
- Comparison: Both addressed free speech in schools but reached different conclusions.
- Impact: Shows Court balances free speech rights with school authority.
👉 RevisionDojo Resource: Access case summaries that break each case into principle, facts, holding, and significance.
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Writing too much case background instead of focusing on the principle.
- Forgetting to compare — just describing both cases isn’t enough.
- Mixing up cases with similar topics (e.g., Engel v. Vitale vs. Wisconsin v. Yoder).
- Ignoring the impact on future law.
Real-World Case Connections
The required cases aren’t just for exams — they connect to modern issues:
- Citizens United v. FEC (2010) → ongoing debates about campaign finance and PACs.
- McDonald v. Chicago (2010) → state-level gun control debates.
- Brown v. Board (1954) → continued discussions about school integration.
👉 Citing modern examples in FRQs can make your answers stronger.
How to Study SCOTUS Case Comparisons for AP Gov
- Flashcards: Make one for each required case (principle, holding, impact).
- Practice FRQs: Write quick comparisons under timed conditions.
- Group by Principle: Organize cases by First Amendment, 14th Amendment, etc.
- Use RevisionDojo: Access simplified case summaries and comparison guides.
How RevisionDojo Helps with SCOTUS Case Prep
RevisionDojo takes the stress out of SCOTUS case prep with:
- One-page summaries of all 15 required cases.
- Side-by-side case comparison charts.
- Practice FRQs with model answers.
- Strategy guides for tackling case comparison prompts.
👉 Check out RevisionDojo’s AP Gov SCOTUS hub for all required cases and practice comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need to memorize the dates of each case?
A: No. Just know the constitutional principle and the outcome. Dates are not required.
Q: How many cases do I need to know for the exam?
A: Only the 15 required cases, but you should be able to compare them to non-required ones.
Q: How detailed should my FRQ case explanation be?
A: 1–2 sentences per case is enough. Focus on principle and impact, not lengthy background.
Q: What’s the best way to study the required cases?
A: Use flashcards, practice comparisons, and resources like RevisionDojo’s case briefs.
Q: Will SCOTUS cases appear in multiple-choice questions too?
A: Yes. You may see a stimulus-based question asking you to apply case reasoning.
Final Thoughts
SCOTUS case comparisons can feel overwhelming, but they’re one of the best ways to show mastery on the AP Gov exam. The key is to focus on constitutional principles, make clear comparisons, and explain the impact of each ruling.
By pairing AP Classroom practice with RevisionDojo’s SCOTUS case summaries and comparison tools, you’ll be ready to tackle any FRQ or multiple-choice question the College Board throws at you.
On exam day, instead of panicking when you see a case prompt, you’ll smile — because you’ll know exactly how to structure your answer for maximum points.
